Personal Injury Lawyer
Despite how minor or extreme a car accident may be, they are almost always traumatic. Injury symptoms are not always prominent immediately following an accident. This is why it is important to see a medical professional as soon as you are physically able, this is to both protect your legal rights and to ensure you are well. Car accidents may cause a bit of an adrenaline rush and for this reason, much of your injuries may not be recognized sometimes not until days later. Once the adrenaline settles, the pain of those injuries may immediately take over.
Many insurance companies may consider any medical treatment within 72 hours of the auto accident as reasonable time. The value of your personal injury claim, or amount of your settlement is weighed heavily on the gaps in your medical treatment and insurance companies will pay attention to those specific details. There are also “statute of limitations” that are enforced to ensure your claim is filed in a timely matter, once these limits are exceeded you are no longer entitled to file a claim.
Once you visit a doctor, or any necessary medical professional in regards to injuries sustained during the accident or personal injury incident, keep note of all contact information. You will need this information when speaking with an attorney to represent you to the fullest extent of the law. Do also keep note of all details involving this case.
Another mistake many people make is to admit fault. This makes it an easy claim for insurance companies. You may feel compelled to apologize if you feel you are at fault, but this action can jeopardize your claim. Be sure to give clear details of the incident and file.
When dealing with insurance companies, they may work extra hard to settle the case without going to trial or to avoid the paperwork. Do not settle with an insurance company because you felt pressured, the process may be long but you must finish your medical treatment. The settlement, prior to completion of your medical treatment, may seem very enticing and to avoid taking a loss in this situation you may want to take the money. However, suppose you do not finish treatment and later on an injury shows up, your case is closed and there is nothing you can do but pay for treatment yourself.
Allow the medical professional to fully examine you, and make sure all injuries have been address or resolved.
If you or someone you know has been involved in a personal injury incident the details may get tricky and the process can be extremely stressful. To ensure you or your loved ones receive the most out of their claim, speak with an experienced catastrophic personal injury attorney Atlanta, Georgia turns to that can lead the way.
Thank you to our friends and contributors at Andrew R. Lynch, P.C. for their insight into personal injury claims and compensation.